BA (Hons)Financial Services

Undergraduate, Full-time

Our BA (Hons) Financial Services course is the only undergraduate degree course in this area in the UK

Overview

We have designed the programme to meet the increasing demand from the financial services sector for skilled graduates.

Launched in 1993 the programme continues to provide students with up to date and relevant learning experiences while focusing on developing the skills that are critical to the successful employment opportunities offered to our best graduates.

There is flexibility within the programme structure that allows students to follow individual specialisms, and there is the option of paid work in the financial services sector for six months during the second trimester of Year 3.

Graduating students are typically able to begin their careers with relevant firms within the sector, or use their qualification to allow entry to a wide range of Masters programmes in the UK and overseas.

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What I like about Edinburgh Napier University is its international profile and the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

Peter Gimborn

Student, Accounting with Corporate Finance

Course details

The overall aim of the BA/BA (Hons) Financial Services Programme is to provide you with a range of knowledge and skills that are relevant to the operation of modern financial services organisations.

In order to achieve this aim, you will study a range of Modules which are designed to:

Provide a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the operations and issues inherent in the UK and international financial markets, including issues related to their regulation and control.

Support this knowledge by developing the ability to use relevant theory and analytical techniques in the investigation of financially-centred issues.

Instil a sound knowledge of the legal, organisational, financial and technological environment relevant to the sector, and to develop skills in these areas as appropriate.

Integrate learning into an analytical, problem-solving, creative approach in relation to the challenges and changes facing the financial services sector and its role in the wider economy.

Develop inter-personal and transferable skills which will enable graduates to contribute effectively in business situations or in broader policy-making and regulatory environments.

Promote initiative and enterprise by providing opportunities for students to take responsibility for their own learning.

You will be given the opportunity to acquire and develop many valuable practical skills such as the ability to collect, analyse, interpret and understand data and information. On completing this programme you will have been given opportunities to gain an appreciation of the value of education to society and to you as an individual.

How you’ll be taught

This is mostly formal lectures to cover the underlying issues and theory. The tutorials involve a more detailed examination of these issues and tend to be linked to how they are applied in practice in real world situations.

Assessments

Most modules will involve one written piece of coursework and a formal examination at the end of the trimester. In addition many modules will include an oral or visual presentation as part of an assessment.

There are some exceptions to this where modules are assessed solely by two (or more) written pieces of work without any formal examination. This reflects the more practical focus in certain modules that are best assessed with an applied assessment rather than a summative assessment. Certain assessments will be on an individual basis while others may involve an element of group work.

Work placement

Students on our Financial Services programme have the option to complete a 24-week work placement in year three. It’s the ideal way to glean real insight into the industry and ensure that you are work-ready.

Popular modules

Year 1

Introduction to the Financial Services Sector

Management Accounting

Financial Accounting

Accounting Information Systems

Principles of Economics

Year 2

Financial Services Decision Making and Planning 1

Financial Management

Planning Personal Finance

Business and Management Challenges

Management Science & Statistics

Year 3

Financial Services Decision Making and Planning 2

Marketing Financial Services

Management Science & Statistics (or option)

24 week Work-based Learning (or 3 option modules)

Year 4

Dissertation

Central Banking

Regulatory Risk Management or Management of Financial Institutions

Two option modules

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Minimum year 1

SQA Higher

Typical Entry Requirement

BBBB

National 5 grade C in Maths and English.

Adjusted Offer Entry Requirement

BCCC

National 5 grade C in English.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet specific widening participation criteria as outlined in our contextual admissions policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.